The Republican journal., 1887-09-29
Why the People Love Blame.

FIN sending us the following editorial from
the Denver, Colorado Republican of Sept. 9TH,
Maine man says: ''Do yen doubt Colorados
loyalty to Blaiue:'
In the current number of the North Amcri-
can Review appears the first Of a series Of pa
pcrs on "PosSiblc PrcsidentS,' the design being
to print from friendly pens articles touching
the character and fitness of men of both par
ties who are commonly regarded as good pres-
dental timber.
BY common consent, it would seem, James
&. Blaine is given the first place. for the initial
article treats of his qualities a statesman,
his services to his country and his eminent lit
ness for the Presidency.
We regret that it is published ANONYMOUSLY
The author of so intelligent character study
and so maSterfu Il piece of literary work should
be known. 1t is unquestionably the strongest
composition of the kind that has appeared in
any Of the magazines or reviews of either con-
tinent for long time. 1t fairly papitatos with
nervous force.
But we Ito not doubt that it will be violently
attacked by Mr. Blaine's enemies. 1t will prob
ably @oad .reat many of them almost to mad
ness, for the facts and the logic which it pre-
>cnts to show why lie is the leading candidate
and why he would make better President
than any other man known to politics I'M
anSwerabe upon fair and honorable grounds
of controversy. They will attempt to answer
it with the same old caumnies-the gray-har-
ed chestnuts of scandal which have been their
stock in trade for wears past. But who will
listen to them:
There is 4 ground swell of popular atlmirI-
ton and enthusiasm for Blaine that will drown
the dwarfS who are franticai!y waving it back
if they do not speedily get out of its way. The
popular wave which got its first momentum in
1876 has been swelling III volume and gaining
in force despite the breakwaters that have been
thrown in lis way, and there is no conspiracy,
no Visitation of chance that can prevent it from
ultimately landing James &. Blaine in the White
House.
He has been compared to Henry Clay. The
comparison is a strong one 50 far as it applies
to the intense patriotism and acute, far seeing
craftsmanship of the two men. But it is an
idle superstition unworthy of any man quail
fed to discuss craftsmanship or compare states
men to say that because Blaine is like Clay in
character and ability he will also fail, as Henry
Clay did. to become President, though like
Clay the popular idol The same line of reason
ing would prove that because an unknown law
yer in New York was by chance made Prc>-
dent. any unknown lawyer in New York can
Win the prize in the same way One PROPOSE
ton is as absurd as the other. and they are both
too silly to he considered seriously.
There Is 10 other man in public life whom
the people love. Sherman and ElmundS are
admired for their talent: Cleveland is RESPECTS
et because he is honest. and others are regards
ed with favor for variety OF reasons, but not
one Of them possesses the warm, Svmpathe
love of the masses which is 50 freely accorded
to Mr.. Blaine. And it is not merely a sent-
ment. There is a reason for it-an active force
behind it, that makes its expression a logical
sequence.
As is eloqucnty shown by the author of the
article in the North American, the explanation
of the popular love for Blaine is to be found in
the fact that the embOtieS the ideas and aS)Iirt-
tionS of all AmerconS who are proud of their
country, and whose hearts beat with patriotic
desire to sec it powerful and respected among
the nations of the world. They do not love
him because his name is Blaine. nor because he
comes from Maine. nor because he is Il great
man. 1t is because there is a bond of sympathy
between them; because he comprchcnds as no
other man does the aspirations and character
of the American people; because he Instructive
ly knows their ambitions, and because he is
able to give clear expression to the sentiments
which they feel strongly but can give no def
mite outward form.
The growing conviction that the President of
the United States should be a statesman helps
Blaine. The desire for closer bond of SYM
pathy between the people aud the chief eNecu-
tive of a country where all men are equal helps
Blaine. Can the Scheming and enviouS UNDER
lingS who would ruin where they cannot rule Il
second time defeat man who would make
such a President:
We think not. The strength and the pur-
poses of his enemies are better understood to-
day than they We're three years ago. No corj-
binotion Of l"rk amt Iying ran dctrm him IN
1883.